BRANDON, South Dakota (CNN) - Sen. Hillary Clinton said Friday that she regretted comments that evoked the June 1968 assassination of Robert Kennedy as part of her explanation for why she was staying in the presidential race late into the primary season.

Earlier Friday afternoon, she told the editorial board of the Sioux Falls Argus Leader that "My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don't understand it," she said.

Clinton complained that "people have been trying to push me out of this ever since Iowa" and said that position "historically ... makes no sense."

Later at an event in Brandon, South Dakota, she said, "earlier today, I was discussing the Democratic primary history and in the course of that discussion mentioned the campaigns that both my husband and Sen. Kennedy waged in California in June in 1992 and 1968, and I was referencing those to make the point that we have had nominating primary contests that go into June. That's an historic fact.

Update: During an interview with Radio Isla Puerto Rico on Saturday, Barack Obama reacted to the Clinton RFK comment.

According to a quote released by the campaign, he said, “I have learned that when you are campaigning for as many months as Senator Clinton and I have been campaigning, sometimes you get careless in terms of the statements that you make and I think that is what happened here. Senator Clinton says that she did not intend any offense by it and I will take her at her word on that.”

soundoff(937 Responses)

DH

The Clintons are willing to pay 1 mill. dollars to win over superdelegates – they stop at nothing – I am sure they are willing to pay for other "services" too, however sinister.......just to go back to the White House......
May God help us all

May 23, 2008 05:39 pm at 5:39 pm |

Independent99999

OMG. She wants to see some fascist racist to come out and shoot out Obama!
OMG – I can't believe how desperate and low she has sunk herself.
OMG – I can't believe this woman was our First Lady once. SHAME on her

May 23, 2008 05:39 pm at 5:39 pm |

Lora B.

OMG – what exactly did people infer from that remark? It is a fact of history.

The Obama camp and media have gone after Hillary like flies on poop. She cannot fart without you people attacking her.

It addition to making her apologize for the remark, why not make her apologize for running for president, and for being a U.S. senator, and for having been a first lady, and for being Bill Clinton's wife, and for having been born? Ridiculous, huh? Yeah, I would say.

You people need to back off and leave her alone if you think her supporters are going to support your candidate, Obama, anytime soon. Enough already!

May 23, 2008 05:39 pm at 5:39 pm |

Hillary or Hysterical?

She is getting more and more desperate by the day, and her points of consideration are getting more and more far fetched.

While her intent may not have been to offend, her judgement was clearly poor, and not representative of a leader.

If she continues to use this type of argument, she may not only divide the democratic party, but she may also divide the country.

May 23, 2008 05:39 pm at 5:39 pm |

Ron Larson

, and yet somehow a victim. The lie, misrepresent twist, demagogue, and then smirk and ridcule anone that dares confront them. This is really jsut a manefistation of a corrupt Godless nation that seems to be hell bent on allowing this made for TV insanity to paly out everyday. These two remind me of someone that I would be laughing at on the Jerry Springer show versus somone who beleives she should be recommended to the White House.

May 23, 2008 05:39 pm at 5:39 pm |

Tom, Flagstaff AZ

Incredibly insensitive. This remark demonstrates her limited ability to think beyond what something means to her. Very illuminating about her character.

May 23, 2008 05:39 pm at 5:39 pm |

FedUpDem

Concerned Canadian May 23rd, 2008 5:23 pm ET

Doesn't anyone in the media or Obama campaign have an ounce of decency left ?

Hillary Clinton was making a point on her campaign using historical reference simply to date the events of past primary races.

People that pick on these words must have their minds permanently embedded in a whirlpool of suspicion and hate with a total lack of logic.

Obama has said things 10 times worse….he's never apologized for anything in his campaign….this guy must be a perfect human being…in fact he sits on the right side of God !!
********************************************************************************************************************************************************
Exactly she said absolutely nothing wrong!!
But the obamidiots need something so they spin anything!

May 23, 2008 05:39 pm at 5:39 pm |

Carolyn C

She should be apologizing to Obama as well as the Kennedys!

May 23, 2008 05:39 pm at 5:39 pm |

GERALD STROTHER

SHE HAS NO SHAME WILL SAY ANYTHANG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT IS ALL !!!!!!!!!!!ABOUT THE CLINITONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TIME FOR HER TO DROP OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

May 23, 2008 05:39 pm at 5:39 pm |

emma

well we will hear about hillary for a month from the cnn situation room with jack caffety,..he is something else...did he not say something recently about another country and finally put his foot in his big mouth. what hillary said was distorted by all the wonderfull people on cnn and msnbc to detest her.....they have treated her terribly all through this election...but should obama become the nominee; and because of the high dislike the democrats have for the clintons they will loose the white house; and well deserved...believe me should she not be the nominee or asked by obama to be vp we women will go to mccain (who is a decent wonderful man)so cnn and msnbc should it go this way try not beating up on a wonderful man named mccain if you can,....

May 23, 2008 05:39 pm at 5:39 pm |

Duane,WA

Oh my Lord is she speking in tongs now!!!!

May 23, 2008 05:39 pm at 5:39 pm |

Jack

I just hears Senator Clinton's comments played on CNN. I understood that she was saying that campaigns have gone on into June. This is another example of the media and Obamma trying to jump on Clinton every chance they get.

May 23, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

Former Hillary supporter

she is a scary one.

May 23, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

COSMA

we don't need to fear......

May 23, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

Darth Vadik, CA

If you are still a Hillary supporter, then you are dumb enough to vote for that other crazy, McInsane.

May 23, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

Ted

She is indeed disgusting..... what is she trying to make out of this comment ?

May 23, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

California Girl

Stop the hate spin on Hillary and turning everything around. Typical low lifers who don't have a life. Go back to school and gradute from high school.

Always a Hillary supporter till the end!

May 23, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

Cathy

Disgusting! She should step aside NOW.
Furthermore – Obama better not pick her as VP – or if he does he better watch his back – as she will do ANYTHING to become President!

TIme for this to end – GOODBYE HILLARY

May 23, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

Rj

JJ,
You are the funniest of all posers. I mean posters!
I'm laughing out loud! What are you going to say next?

May 23, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

Scott

What a loser. She will destroy this election for the Dems

May 23, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

Lynda from Texas

She is the most disingenious and disgusting women in American History. She not only owes the Kennedys an immense apology – they did not need this at a time when they are facing a battle for Ted's life she also owes Barack Obama an apology for this hidden or subliminal message regarding possible problems for him.

She also owes the American people an apology.

I hope this makes those of the super delegates on the side to start moving and I hope this precludes any further consideration of her for VP.

May 23, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

HavingFun

My husband didn't wrap up the nomination in 1992 until June....

And, I will go on till the convention, eventhough the whole world is asking me to drop out...eventhough Obama is leading in every sense...eventhough mathematically it's impossible for me to win...and destroy myself. Nice fodder for Rush's show..

May 23, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

COSMA

we don't need to fear......but we mark these words

May 23, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

Carol

Hillary has sunk to a new low. The Democratic leadership needs to step in and shut her down. She's destroying the party. Very evil person who will say and do anything to get the nomination.

May 23, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

Arkansas Undertaker

People are just way too sensitive about certain things. I dont agree with the way she said it but I know she meant no harm. And I am an Obama supporter, but I dont like the way the jump on Hillary or Barack on everything they say.